Rev. David Oliver-Holder

Pastor

Rev. Dr. David Oliver-Holder is our pastor and head of staff. Pastor David began his ministry with us in March of 2017, after having served Wisconsin churches in Richland Center, Milwaukee, Hartland, and Bayfield. Like so many of us, he has had experience in several denominations. He’s a recovering Southern Baptist. He began his ministry as an American Baptist, and for more than 15 years now is very happily Presbyterian.

Pastor David grew up as a military brat (Navy), and lived in California, Florida, Virginia, Oklahoma and South Carolina, his birth and home state. Listen for certain vowels as he speaks and you can detect that deeply rooted Southern accent. A graduate of Wofford College (BS/Physics, 1987), in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Southern Seminary (MDiv, 1991), in Louisville, Kentucky, Pastor David completed his graduate studies in the Joint Doctor of Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (D.Min./Liturgy, 2001). He is married to Rev. Jean Oliver-Holder, and together they are the proud parents of Susan (UW-Milwaukee), Clara (Univ. of Minnesota), and Nathan (high school). He enjoys the outdoors, reading, the arts, great food of all kinds, music, and thanks to the sound upbringing of his mother, the Green Bay Packers

Rachel Gladden

Financial Administrator

Rachel serves as our Financial Administrator. Before coming to First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, she worked at Pavlov Media, Generations of Hope, and the University of Northern Colorado. She studied Non-Profit Administration for two years at the University of Northern Colorado and has experience working with various non-profits. Rachel spent seven years in Tanzania and six months teaching on the island of Yap in Micronesia. In her free time she enjoys rock climbing, eating good food, traveling, and spending time with her partner, Joel, and their four children.

Tracy Weddle

Office Manager

Tracy enjoys producing the church newsletters and bulletins–the tasks that require the majority of her time at work. Tracy grew up in Mahomet with her parents and two brothers. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy. Tracy and her husband Joshua love playing and exploring the world with their sweet baby girl.

Steve Johnson

Sexton

As church sexton, Steve maintains the church building, equipment and computer systems. Steve grew up in Monticello IL, where he spent most of his childhood fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Most of his family still lives near Monticello. Steve currently lives in Farmer City.

Theodore “Ted” Turner

Organist

An Illinois native, Ted earned his Bachelors in music at Rhodes College, a small liberal arts school in Memphis, TN, before coming to Champaign-Urbana. He is currently enrolled in the masters of organ program at the university as a student of Dana Robinson and Charlotte Mattax, studying harpsichord as well as organ. Before coming to First Presbyterian, Ted was the organist at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Danville. In his free time, Ted enjoys reading fantasy books, especially J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as baking, among other things.

Lindsey Bruner

Director of Music

Lindsey hails from Des Moines, Iowa, and has recently moved to Urbana with her husband, Mark. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from Iowa State University and her master’s degree in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa. Lindsey has taught general music, vocal jazz, and directed choirs in both private and public schools. She has also served as assistant conductor for several non-professional community choirs. Lindsey fills her free time by playing and singing in many of CU’s community music ensembles.

Robert Foelske

Youth Coordinator

Robert grew up in Batavia, Illinois and has recently moved to Urbana. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Aurora University in Psychology. Robert works at Lutheran Social Service as a child welfare case manager. In his free time Robert enjoys gardening, camping, and working on engines.

Cedar King

Audio/Visual Technician Coordinator

Ed oversees the projection and audio presentations for Sunday Morning worship. He is currently employed as a Addictions Counselor at Prairie Center Health Systems and is studying for a MA in Counseling from Lincoln Christian University. Ed is a former preacher in the Independent Christian Churches Fellowship. He has two children, one grandchild and enjoys hiking and nature photography.

Nani Baker

Social Media Specialist

Baker has been in marketing, public relations, managing social media and website development since 2009. She is an active church member who loves spending time with her teen daughter and their church family. Gardening, thrifting and photography are her hobbies.